NFL Trade News: Buffalo Bills could reunite with $82M Chicago Bears linebacker

The Chicago Bears made two blockbuster moves in a day: traded wide receiver DJ Moore and released linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. Now comes the interesting part: Moore was traded to the Buffalo Bills, and Edmunds’ former team is Josh Allen’s franchise. Would there be a reunion of the two? We’ll find out eventually. In the meantime, let’s check out what the analysts are saying and how would the 27-year-old linebacker help the Bills.

Chicago Bears linebacker Tremaine Edmunds released after DJ Moore’s trade to Buffalo Bills

Moore is now a Buffalo Bill. The $110 million wide receiver was acquired by the Bills along with a 2026 fifth-round pick in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick. It gives Chicago $16.5 million in cap space.As a parting note, the 28-year-old wideout expressed on Instagram: “Chicago!! I wanna say, appreciate all the love and support the last three years.

My family and I were proud to call this place home, and this community has been unbelievable to us. We will miss you all. To the fans, you embraced me with open arms from my first day here. I gave my all every time I stepped on the field, and hopefully, I made you all proud with the way I performed. We have some unbelievable memories at Soldier Field, and you all are a huge part of them!!” Moore may take his teammate along with him. The Bears have released their linebacker, Tremaine Edmunds.

And one of the probable landing spots could be the Bills. For one, his teammate will be there. For two, Buffalo needs help at linebacker. Core veterans Matt Milano and Shaq Thompson are unrestricted free agents. Injuries plagued Terrel Bernard and Dorian Williams in the big games of the 2025 season.

Josh Allen's Buffalo Bills hunt for a linebacker

Bills Wire’s David Benjamin De Cristofaro reports that fixing Buffalo’s annual problem with defense is of utmost importance for the 2026 offseason.Stopping the run game has been an issue for the Bills for the longest time. Plus, covering pass receivers is one of the duties of a linebacker, so again, if Moore has left for Josh Allen, then maybe the linebacker would enter their realm, too. After all, rushing the quarterback is yet another duty of Edmunds. And for the new defensive coordinator, Jim Leonard, linebacker is an important position where explosiveness, fluidity, and some ability to drop into coverage matter most.

Buffalo Bills and Tremaine Edmunds’ communication would come down to salary

The Sporting News’ Billy Heyen reports Edmunds spent his first five seasons in Buffalo, and the Bills need linebacker help. Their deal would come down to a salary ask. Buffalo does not have much cap space, but if it can get Edmunds to sign a value contract, this could become a fantastic match. The time is ticking now. With only days remaining for the new league year to start. The two-time Pro Bowler is now a free agent and is eligible to sign with a new team.

Tremaine Edmunds contract details and stats

According to Spotrac, the Virginia Tech alumnus signed a four-year contract worth $72 million with the Bears in March 2023. His current career earnings are $82 million.The Dan River alumnus started 119 games and made at least 100 tackles in each of his eight seasons, taking his total career tackles to 900. In the 2025 season, he recorded 112 tackles, nine passes defended, four interceptions, one sack, and one fumble recovery despite missing four games due to a groin injury.

Seek a trade or become a cap casualty

According to an ESPN source, Edmunds was told by Chicago to seek a trade on Feb. 25 or be at risk of becoming a cap casualty. His cap hit is $17.9 million. Now is the best time for Buffalo to reunite with their former high-level, productive linebacker.